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Prolonged effects of concussion in high school athletes
Rosemarie Scolaro Moser1, Philip Schatz, Barry D Jordan
1RSM Psychology Center, LLC, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648, USA. r.moser@rcn.com
Neurosurgery
|August 12, 2005
Summary
High school athletes with multiple concussions show lasting cognitive deficits. Even recent concussions impact attention and academic performance in young athletes.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Sports Medicine
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral concussions are common in high school athletes.
- The long-term neuropsychological consequences require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify enduring neuropsychological effects of cerebral concussion in high school athletes.
- To assess the impact of concussion history on cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- 223 high school athletes were evaluated based on concussion history.
- Neuropsychological testing included the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and Trail Making Tests.
- Statistical analyses identified differences between groups with varying concussion histories.
Main Results:
- Athletes with recent concussions had poorer attention and concentration.
- Those with two or more prior concussions showed similar deficits to recently concussed athletes.
- Lower academic grade point averages were associated with both recent and multiple past concussions.
Conclusions:
- Subtle yet significant prolonged neuropsychological effects are evident in youth athletes with a history of two or more concussions.
- Concussion history impacts cognitive function and academic performance in adolescent athletes.